Independent Variables Research Articles

The Role of Gender in Turkish Women’s Pregnancy Experiences

Background: Apart from the biological changes women experience throughout pregnancy, their exposure to a gender discrimination stemming from cultural values adopted by the society in which they live can make it difficult for them to adapt to pregnancy and thus lead to negative pregnancy experiences. Aim: This research was conducted using a cross-sectional and relation-seeking approach to evaluate the effects of social gender inequality on pregnancy experiences. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional and relation-seeking study were gathered between 25 November 2019 and 25 January 2020 using face-to face interviews the researcher conducted with childbearing women who visited the outpatient clinic and non-stress test units of a hospital for the pregnancy follow-up. Results:: When using the Pregnancy Experiences Scale to assess childbearing women, higher scores indicated more positive emotions than negative emotions. Independent variables that affect the scores on the Pregnancy Experiences Scale include a willingness to be pregnant, the baby's sex, the woman’s income status, gestational week and the Perception of Gender Scale (p<0.005). A positive but weakly significant relationship was found among the total score on the Perception of Gender Scale, the total score on the Pregnancy Experiences Scale and the average scores of positive emotions intensity and frequency in all sub-dimensions (p<0.005). Conclusion: Based on the data, we conclude that women’s pregnancy experiences are generally positive, and that social gender inequality is a significant determinant affecting pregnancy experiences.

Design Formulation of Nanospanlastic Novel Carriers as a Promising Approach to Enhanced Bioavailability in Intranasal Drug Delivery for Sinusitis: Statistical Optimization and In vitro and In vivo Characterization

Background: Most new biologically active chemicals require better water solubility and slower dissolution rates. Cefdinir (CFD) has a very low bioavailability in its crystalline form and is poorly soluble in water. Objective: By preparing cefdinir's spanlastic nanovesicles (SNVs) using the ethanol injection method, the current study has attempted to enhance the drug's solubility and bioavailability using a statistical design approach. Methods: Independent variables, including the nonionic surfactant concentration, edge activator (EA), sonication time, SNVs entrapment efficiency, particle size, zeta potential, PDI, and in vitro release, have been evaluated. The best CFD-SNVs were positioned within in situ gel with muco-adhesive properties made of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and deacetylated gellan gum. By contrasting intranasal injection of the produced gel with an IV solution, animal models have been used to investigate CFD's systemic and cerebral dynamics. Results: Statistical analysis has suggested an ideal SNVs formulation with nonionic surfactant (65 mg), EA (15 mg), and sonication (3 min). The sol-gel temperature for forming the mucoad-hesive in situ gel containing SNVs has been found to be 34.03°C, and 18.36 minutes has been the extended mucociliary transit time. Following intranasal injection, compared to SNV dispersion, the gelling system has exhibited higher brain bioavailability (2251.9 ± 75 vs. 5281.6 ± 51%, re-spectively). The gel has also demonstrated effective drug targeting of the brain with higher direct transport percentage indices. Conclusion: Mucoadhesive in situ gel with CFD-loaded SNVs can be administered via the in-tranasal route. To enhance bioavailability in the brain and drug targeting from the nose to the brain, nasal in situ gel loaded with CFD-SNVs could be a new carrier to be employed in sinusitis.

Revisiting the inconsistent influence of El Niño-Southern Oscillation on the equatorial Atlantic

Abstract The impact of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the equatorial Atlantic Zonal Mode (AZM) is investigated using two atmospheric reanalysis products and 44 models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). While the impact of ENSO on equatorial Atlantic SST is inconsistent, as previously reported, there is a very robust influence of decaying ENSO events in boreal spring on the contemporaneous surface zonal winds over the equatorial Atlantic, with El Niño events associated with anomalous easterlies that cool the equatorial Atlantic. This dynamic impact is counteracted by a thermodynamic impact, in which El Niño events cause changes in surface heat fluxes that lead to warming over the tropical Atlantic. The thermodynamic influence is active throughout the lifecycle of the ENSO event, but the dynamic influence is highly seasonal with a pronounced peak in boreal spring. Thus, a quickly decaying El Niño event will lead to warming, while a slowly decaying event will lead to cooling in the equatorial Atlantic. The ENSO-AZM relation is further complicated by partially independent Atlantic variability, in particular that associated with the South Atlantic subtropical dipole (SASD). Prediction experiments with a simple linear regression model support the role of the SASD as an AZM precursor. Many CMIP6 models show skillful predictions of the June-July-August AZM based on SST indices in the preceding December-January-February, with correlations above 0.5. When predictions are restricted to ENSO years, even more models exceed this threshold, but skill in the reanalyses remains relatively low, possibly due to insufficient training data.

Pengaruh Firm Size, Audit Fee, Audit Tenure, Kompetensi dan Independensi Auditor Terhadap Kualitas Audit pada Perusahaan Perbankan yang Terdaftar di Bursa Pengaruh Indonesia 2018-2022

This research aims to determine the influence of firm size, audit fees, audit tenure, auditor competency and independence on audit quality in banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2018-2022 period. This research population used a purposive sampling technique to obtain a sample of 150 data from 30 companies, but data transformation and outliers were applied so that the sample size became 120 data. The data analysis applied in this research is classical assumption testing, multiple linear regression analysis, and hypothesis testing. The research results show that simultaneously there is an influence of the variables firm size, audit fee, audit tenure, competence and independence of the auditor on audit quality, but partially the variables of competence and independence of the auditor do not have a significant effect on the quality of audits in banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2018-2022.

Meningkatkan Karakter Kepemimpinan Siswa dengan Model Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning pada Materi Daud Sang Pemimpin Kelas V SD Yos Sudarso Cigugur

In the era of accelerated digitalization, various new problems have emerged among students, especially in the current post-pandemic era. Even though the development of technology and science is growing rapidly, it has given rise to various student character anomalies that are emerging now. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the Indonesian education sector. So there is a kind of alibi that during the pandemic, students did not receive enough character education during the period of social restrictions. Therefore, efforts are needed to improve students' leadership character in the education sector which is supported by increasing the variables of independence, discipline and responsibility. This effort is in line with the values ​​of the Pancasila Student Profile which affirms student competence in the dimensions of faith, devotion to God Almighty, and noble character, global diversity, mutual cooperation, independence, critical reasoning and creativity. The researcher assumes that to improve the leadership character of Class V students at Yos Sudarso Cigugur Elementary School based on Minimum Completeness Criteria (KKM), the researcher applies the Problem Based Learning model as a strategy to support the process of actively developing student independence in two research cycles. Researchers conducted Classroom Action Research "Improving Student Leadership Character with a Problem Based Learning Model on Material from Daud the Class V Leader of Yos Sudarso Cigugur Elementary School" as an effort to overcome learning loss caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Effects of Situated Game Teaching Through Set Plays on Badminton Tactical Knowledge, Technical Ability, and Game Performance Among Turkish Secondary School Students

Background: The Situated Game Teaching Through Set Plays (SGTSP) model, a newly proposed curricular model, extends the previous game-based approaches by adopting the Theory of Situated Learning as a framework to focus on the relational and situational nature of the changing relations of all game parameters in a specific momentary game scenario. However, as a new game-based model, SGTSP warrants further empirical research investigations to establish its effectiveness at advancing student learning such as skill acquisition and game competence. Purpose: To examine the effects of the SGTSP curricular model on secondary school students’ tactical knowledge, technical ability, and game performance in badminton when compared with a technique-focused approach during a 10-lesson unit. Methods: A completely randomized block design with a repeated measure was used to address the research purpose. A sample of 158 sixth graders from eight classes at two Turkish middle schools (67 girls and 89 boys; Mage = 12.62 ± 0.47) were assigned to either the SGTSP (n = 79 from four classes) or the technique-focused approach conditions (n = 79 from four classes) for the experiment. Assessments were conducted before and after the badminton instructional unit. The statistical models consisted of one of the four technical ability performances, components of game performance, or tactical knowledge as a dependent variable and eight independent variables: teacher, treatment, class nested within teacher and treatment, gender, skill levels, and three 2-way interactions between treatment, gender, and skill levels. A series of repeated-measure multivariate analyses of variance were conducted to analyze the data. Results: Participants in both groups improved tactical knowledge, forehand long serve, forehand clear, smash, and drop skills, and game performances from pre to post. Participants in the SGTSP condition showed significantly greater improvements (). Discussion and Conclusion: The findings of this study substantiated the positive effects of the SGTSP model on developing secondary school students’ badminton tactical knowledge, technical ability, and game performances in badminton compared with the traditional technique-focused approach.

A prospective birth cohort study on the association between gestational blood pressure and neurodevelopment in 2-year-old children

Objective: To investigate the association between gestational blood pressure and neurodevelopment in 2-year-old children. Methods: Based on the"Wuhan Healthy Baby Birth Cohort", 3 754 mother-infant pairs were enrolled in this study. Based on multiple blood pressure measurements during pregnancy, the mean, cumulative, and variability of blood pressure throughout the entire pregnancy and each trimester were calculated. Blood pressure variability was evaluated using standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variability (CV), and variability independent of mean (VIM). Follow-up testing of neurodevelopment in infants and young children at the age of two was conducted to obtain the Mental Development Index (MDI) and the Psychomotor Development Index (PDI). The multivariate linear regression and generalized estimation equation were used to analyze the association between gestational blood pressure data and neurodevelopmental index. Results: The age of 3 754 pregnant women was (29.1±3.6) years, with a pre-pregnancy BMI of (20.9±2.7) kg/m² and a gestational age of (39.3±1.2) weeks. The birth weight of 3 754 children was (3 330.9±397.7) grams, and the birth length was (50.3±1.6) centimeters. The results of the multivariate linear regression analysis showed that after adjusting for relevant confounding factors, the mean blood pressure, cumulative blood pressure, standard deviation of blood pressure, coefficient of variation of blood pressure, independent blood pressure variability of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure throughout pregnancy were negatively associated with the MDI and PDI scores of 2-year-old children. The analysis results of the generalized estimation equation showed that after adjusting for relevant confounding factors, the average systolic blood pressure in the first, second, and third trimesters was negatively associated with MDI/PDI. The negative association between cumulative blood pressure and MDI/PDI was only found in the first trimester. The negative association between blood pressure variation during pregnancy and MDI/PDI was mainly concentrated in the second and third trimesters. Conclusion: There is a negative association between gestational blood pressure and the neurodevelopmental index of 2-year-old children.

Differences in Overuse Injuries in Gender-Comparable Sports: A Nationally Representative Sample of High School Athletes.

Participation in high school sports has physical, physiological, and social development benefits, while also increasing the risk of acute and overuse injuries. Risk of sport-related overuse injury differs between boys and girls. To investigate differences in overuse injuries among US high school athletes participating in the gender-comparable sports of soccer, basketball, and baseball/softball. Descriptive epidemiology study using a nationally representative sample from the High School Reporting Information Online (RIO) database. High schools. Athletes with overuse injuries during the 2006-2007 through 2018-2019 academic years. National estimates and rates of overuse injuries were extrapolated from weighted observed numbers with the following independent variables: sport, gender, academic year, class year, event type, body site, diagnosis, recurrence, activity, and position. Among an estimated 908 295 overuse injuries nationally, 43.9% (n = 398 419) occurred in boys' soccer, basketball, and baseball, whereas 56.1% (n = 509 876) occurred in girls' soccer, basketball, and softball. When comparing gender across sports, girls were more likely to sustain an overuse injury than boys (soccer, injury rate ratio [IRR]: 1.37, 95% CI = 1.20-1.57; basketball, IRR: 1.82, 95% CI = 1.56-2.14; baseball/softball, IRR: 1.21, 95% CI = 1.04-1.41). Most overuse injuries in soccer and basketball for both genders occurred to a lower extremity (soccer: 83.9% [175 369/209 071] for boys, 90.0% [243 879/271 092] for girls; basketball: 77.0% [59 239/76 884] for boys, 80.5% [81 826/101 709] for girls), whereas most overuse injuries in baseball and softball were to an upper extremity (72.5% [81 363/112 213] for boys, 53.7% [73 557/136 990] for girls). For boys' baseball, pitching (43.5% [47 007/107 984]) was the most common activity associated with an overuse injury, which differed from the most common activity of throwing (31.7% [39 921/126 104]) for girls' softball. Gender differences observed in this study can help guide future strategies that are more specific to gender and sport to reduce overuse injuries among high school athletes.

The Prevalence of Tobacco Product Use Among Students in the Faculty of Medicine at Pamukkale University and Their Views on the Smoke-Free Campus Implementation.

Tobacco use is an important risk factor for more than 20 types of cancer, especially cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and many other health problems. Cigarettes are one of the most commonly used tobacco products in the world, and they can cause both physical and mental addiction. Adolescence is known to be the highest-risk period in terms of addiction among all age groups. As a result, smoke-free campus practices have become even more important in universities. This study investigates the prevalence of smoking among Pamukkale Medical School students and their views and behaviors regarding smoke-free campus practices. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 548 medical students at Pamukkale Universıty Faculty of Medicine during the academic year 2021-2022, between April 1-29, 2022. A face-to-face interview was conducted. Students' smoking status and their views about a smoke-free campus were assessed. In the questionnaire, the independent variables were socio-demographic characteristics, duration of staying in a smoke-free environment, smoking status in the place of residence, areas where smoking is most common, Fagerström nicotine dependence level, knowledge about smoke-free campus applications and campuses with the smokefree application. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21.0 package program was used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics are presented with numbers and percentages for categorical variables, while the arithmetic mean and standard deviation are used for continuous variables. The chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables,and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov analysis was used to test the compatibility of data to normal distribution. The student smoking rate increased significantly as the number of semesters increased (P = .021). The smoking rate of male students was higher than that of female students (P = .001). The smoking rate of students living with their family or relatives was lower (P = .020). Smokers (14.7%) were more likely to have heard about the introduction of smoke-free zones on campus than nonsmokers (11%) (P = .280). 81.4% of students affirmed the statement, "The number of smoke-free rooms should be increased," and 84.3% responded, "I support the existence of smoke-free spaces." Nonsmoking students (90.8%) are more likely to agree that smoke-free spaces should be increased than those who smoke (57.7%) (P < .001). Among the students, 17.6% of nonsmokers and 37.8% of smokers find the information about smoke-free spaces sufficient (P < .001). The rate of those who consider smoke-free space inspections to be sufficient is lower for nonsmoking students than for nonsmokers (P = .017). Nonsmokers (89.5%) support the existence of smoke-free spaces to a higher degree than smokers (71.2%) (P < .001). One-third of Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine students smoke, and smoking rates are higher among men and those who do not live with family or relatives. All participants strongly support the existence of smoke-free zones (84.3%), while a proportion of tobacco users (31.4%) support the implementation of a smoke-free campus. Student opinions of the smoke-free zones and the smoke-free campus application are more positive among nonsmokers than smokers.

Optimization and Transfollicular Delivery of Finasteride Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles Laden Carbopol Gel for Treatment of Hair Growth Stimulation

Background: One of the frequent side effects of cancer treatment is chemotherapyinduced alopecia (CIA). The psychological discomfort of hair loss may cause patients to stop receiving chemotherapy, lowering the therapy's effectiveness. Finasteride (FNS), a JAK inhibitor, has shown tremendous promise in therapeutic uses for treating baldness. Still, systemic side effects constrained its broad use in alopecia from oral treatment and a low absorption rate at the target site— PLGA-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) for topical delivery of FNS—to overcome these issues. Methods: The nano-precipitation process was used to make FNS-NPs. The independent variables (stabiliser and polymer) were PLGA (X1), P407 (X2), and sonication time (X3). Based on the point prediction method obtainable by the Box Behnken design software, the best FNS-NPs composition was selected. Entrapment efficiency, particle size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index were used to characterize the nanoparticles. Using Carbopol as a polymer, the ideal FNS-NPs composition was further transformed into a gel formulation. The prepared topical gel formulation (FNS-NPs gel) included gel characterization, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), invitro and in vivo studies. Results: Optimized FNS-NPs (F13) had particle sizes of 175.26±3.85 nm, 0.241±0.11 PDI, 71.04±1.35 % EE, and -33.27±0.39 surface charges. There is no interaction between the drug and the excipients, according to FTIR studies. The FNS were visible in the X-ray diffractogram enclosed in a polymer matrix. The developed FNS-NPs gel formulation shows ideal drug content, viscosity, pH, and spreadability. According to the release and permeation investigation findings, FNS released slowly (68.73±0.94%) but significantly permeated the membrane more than before. In a dose- and time-dependent manner, the produced nanoparticles considerably (p≤0.05) increased FNS delivery compared to the FNS solution. The FNS-NPs gel therapy significantly increases the quantity and size of hair follicles dose-dependently. The effectiveness of the 1% FNSNPs gel and the 2% minoxidil solution were comparable. After 72 hours, the FNS-NPs gel showed no signs of skin irritation. The outcomes, therefore, showed that the trans follicular delivery mechanism of the FNS-NPs gel might stimulate hair growth. Conclusion: These findings imply that the innovative formulation that has been developed has several beneficial properties that make it suitable for FNS dermal delivery in the treatment of alopecia areata

Association Between the Blood Glucose Value at PACU Discharge and Postoperative Hypoglycemia in Nondiabetic Patients With Hyperglycemia After Hysteroscopic Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

PurposeThe target glycemic control for nondiabetic patients in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after hysteroscopic surgery remains unclear. Our goal is to determine the optimal level of glycemic control by finding the relationship between blood glucose level (BGL) leaving the PACU and postoperative hypoglycemia in nondiabetic patients. DesignThis retrospective cohort study was conducted at a comprehensive tertiary hospital in Chongqing, China between June 2018 and December 2020. MethodsThe target independent and dependent variables were BGL leaving the PACU and postoperative hypoglycemia, respectively. The primary outcome was the incidence of hypoglycemia. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between discharge BGL and hypoglycemia. The optimal glycemic control range was determined by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. FindingsPrior to insulin use, BGL in the insulin-using subgroup might be as high as 20 mmol/L. Hypoglycemia was related to the BGL while leaving the PACU (odds ratio (OR) 0.37 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22 to 0.65]). The best cut-off value (12.95 mmol/L) was determined by fitting the ROC curve. ConclusionsIf severe hyperglycemia develops during hysteroscopic surgery in individuals with 5% glucose as the mediator of uterine distention, the recommendation is to maintain blood glucose above 12.95 mmol/L when treated with insulin.

ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND THEIR RELATIVITY TO AGGRESSION OF YOUNG ADULTS IN MALITA, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL PHILIPPINES

Using a descriptive-correlational approach, this study aimed to quantify the prevalence of ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) and aggression among young adults in Malita. It specifically determines the level of ACEs and aggression, the significant relationship between ACEs and aggression, and the area of the independent variable that was most strongly associated with the aggression of young adults. 98 respondents were randomly selected to take part in the study. The independent variable was measured using two adapted questionnaires, namely, the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Questionnaire [47] and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire [26], while Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (1992) [22] for the dependent variable. The researchers made used of a variety of statistical methods, including the mean, Spearman's rho, and step-wise multiple regression. Among the five types of abuse, results showed that emotional abuse was a commonly reported form of adversity in childhood. Meanwhile, at the level of aggression, verbal aggression was shown to have the highest responses out of the three different types of aggression. The findings of the study showed no statistical significance between varia-bles. While emotional neglect, among other forms of adversity in childhood, was the lone predictor of aggression in young adults.

Suicidal ideation in adolescence: an explanation from three of its associated variables in Bogotá, 2009

Objective: To determine the relationship between hopelessness, loneliness and the level of family health in school-age adolescents with and without suicidal ideation to deepen in the knowledge of this phenomenon from a nursing point of view and to pose promotion and prevention options in Bogotá, Colombia. Method: This was a cross-sectional, comparative, correlational, descriptive and quantitative study. The sample was selected in the period between February and April 2009, through mixed sampling and 482 school-attending 14-17 year-old adolescents were included. Widely recognized and highly qualified psychometric tools were used to measure the variables concerned. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistic analysis were used to describe the behavior of each variable, to explore the relationships and contrasts between these variables and to estimate the effect of the independent variables on the presence of suicidal thoughts. This study has followed the ethical considerations necessary for research involving human beings.Results: 20% of the sample used reported the presence of suicidal thoughts or desires. All variables studied influence the presence of suicidal thoughts except age, socioeconomic strata, borough and type of school. However, with the use of logistic regression methods, the variables that best express the presence of suicidal thoughts are: previous suicide attempt, low self-esteem, depression and belonging to an unhealthy family.Conclusions: Data on suicidal ideation and attempts made in this study support the idea of implementing greater preventive efforts within families and schools. Identifying adolescents at risk of suicide or mental health disorders, and build effective prevention and treatment programs is a priority.

Central Composite Design Expert-Supported RP-HPLC Optimization and Quantitative Evaluation of Efonidipine Hydrochloride Ethanolate & Chlorthalidone in Tablet.

Central composite design based RP-HPLC method optimization for the synchronized analysis of Efonidipine Hydrochloride Ethanolate (EFE) and Chlorthalidone (CHL) in tablet. The effective separation was performed using Inertsil ODS C18 column (250 × 4.6mm, 5μm), PDA detector with 0.05M KH2PO4 Buffer (pH4.5): Acetonitrile (40:60%v/v) mobile phase. Independent variables were investigated include the concentration of KH2PO4 (X1) and flow rate of mobile phase (X2). Based on responses obtained (retention time, resolution and tailing factor), the optimum condition selected was X1 = 40% and X2 = 1ml/min. Optimized HPLC condition was validated by assessing validation parameters and it meets the acceptance criteria set by ICH. The linear calibration curve was found to be in the quantity range 6.25-18.75 and 20-60μg/ml Assay of drugs was 100.94 and 100.06% for CHL and EFE. The validated RP-HPLC-PDA method can be used for routine analysis of EFE and CHL in tablet.

Green Financial Management, Firm Size, and Capital Structure: Practical Implications for Financial Performance of Companies in the SRI-KEHATI Index

The company's efforts to improve financial performance through maximizing profits are not accompanied by the company's concern for the impacts caused, so there are regulations that require companies to commit to carrying out sustainable business practices and care about environmental issues by implementing green financial management. The indepen dent variables in this study are green financial management, firm size, and capital structure, while the dependent variable in this study is financial performance. This study aimed to test and analyze the effect of 1) green financial management on financial performance, 2) firm size on financial performance, and 3) capital structure on financial performance. The population in this study are all companies incorporated in the SRI-KEHATI index for 2017-2022. Sampling was carried out using the purposive sampling method. The data analysis method is a multiple linear regression analysis process using SPSS 26 software. The results showed that partially green financial management and capital structure significantly positively affect financial performance. Firm size has an insignificant effect on financial performance.

Supportive psychotherapeutic intervention and video directing observed therapy to increase family adherence

To determine the effect of supportive psychotherapy and video-directing observed therapy interventions on family compliance in assisting patients with mental disorders in the working area of the Kabila Health Center, Bone Bolango District, Gorontalo City. Research design quasi-experimental design with a one group pre- and post-test design, where the variables to be measured are family adherence in providing treatment assistance, which are included in the dependent variable. The independent variables in this study were supportive psychotherapy and video-directed observation therapy. The sampling technique used was a total sampling technique with a sample size of 39 respondents. Data analysis was performed using univariate analysis, namely descriptive analysis (frequency, percentage, median, minimum value, and maximum value) and bivariate analysis (Wilcoxon test), with a significance level of &amp;lt;0.05, which was performed using SPSS version 25 software. Supportive psychotherapy and video-directing observed therapy increased family compliance accompanying the treatment of patients with mental disorders (p-value of x1=0.020, x2=0.000, p&amp;lt;0.05). Supportive psychotherapy interventions and video-directed observed therapy have been proven to increase family compliance in treatment assistance, which can improve the quality of life of patients with mental disorders.

Determinants of sexual and reproductive health concerns among youngsters in Albania during COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all communities, including youngsters. Our aim was to assess the key sexual and reproductive health (SRH) concerns of young people in Albania during the pandemic as well as the factors associated with the main health concern. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Albania in 2021. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of being concerned about mental health &amp;amp; psychological well-being, urgency for mental health information, and difficulty in getting mental health information with independent variables. In total 340 youngsters aged 14-30 years participated (66% female, 89% Albanian ethnicity, about 20% belonging to the LGBT community). Mental health &amp;amp; psychological well-being were the main SRH topics youngsters were concerned about, reported by 48% of them. About 37% of youngsters had an urgent need for mental health information during the pandemic and 18% experienced difficulty in getting this information. Being part of the LGBT community was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of being concerned about mental health (OR=3.15;95%CI:1.36-7.33), being in urgent need of mental health information (OR=3.68;95%, CI:1.63-8.32) and experiencing difficulties in getting mental health information (OR=3.48;95% CI:1.49-8.13). Higher household income levels also increased the likelihood of being concerned about mental health (OR=4.28;95%CI:1.55-11.77) and being in urgent need of mental health information (OR=4.15;95%CI:1.43- 12.01). In conclusion, young people in Albania have been concerned about various SRH topics during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the major concern was mental health &amp;amp; psychological well-being, especially for the LGBT community. The findings should guide future interventions for addressing youth mental health concerns in emergency situation.

An empirical analysis of the effects of nudge-based measures on job seekers' participatory behavior in the Care Worker Initial Training

Objectives The study aim was to explore effective measures to promote job seekers' participation in the Care Worker Initial Training course provided by Hello Work.Methods In this study, we adopted the nudge approach as a method to promote behavioral changes based on a knowledge of behavioral economics. Additionally, we tested the effectiveness of nudge-based measures compared to that of conventional measures. The survey was conducted through two rounds of Web distribution. In the first Web distribution, we consistently implemented the following, in order: 1) recruited individuals who agreed to participate in the study, 2) distributed the first Web questionnaire regarding basic attributes and eligibility criteria in terms of the target individuals, and 3) distributed course guidance. Individuals who responded to the first Web questionnaire (n=50,000) were randomly assigned to eight groups. The intervention groups were presented with course guidance based on loss-aversion nudge, empathy nudge, long-term gain nudge, and their combinations. The control group was presented with traditional course guidance used by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare over the Web. Two weeks after the intervention, we identified 2,404 individuals who met the eligibility criteria and assessed their behavioral changes (pre-contemplation, contemplation/preparation, information-gathering, action); we received responses from 1,995 individuals. Binomial logistic regression analyses were performed using nudge-based interventions and behavioral change stages as dependent and independent variables, respectively. Sex, age, education level, marital status, interest in caregiving before the intervention, and behavioral change stages before the intervention were included as moderator variables.Results A total of 1,995 individuals were included in the analysis. Among the 1,756 participants in the intervention groups, 321 (18.3%) took on contemplation/preparation behavior, 102 (5.8%) took on information-gathering behavior, and 50 (2.8%) took action by participating in the course. Among the 239 individuals in the control group, 38 (15.9%) took on contemplation/preparation behavior, 31 (13.0%) took on information-gathering behavior, and 2 (0.8%) took action by participating in the course. Binomial logistic regression analyses showed that while traditional measures were effective in promoting information-gathering behavior toward participation, nudge-based measures combining loss-aversion nudge, long-term gain nudge, and empathy nudge were effective in motivating individuals to participate in the course (odds ratio: 5.39, 95%CI: 1.18-24.74, P=0.03).Conclusion The introduction of measures combining multiple types of nudges is necessary to promote participation in the Care Worker Initial Training course, rather than traditional measures or a nudge in isolation.

Exploring the Influence of Virtual Avatar Heads in Mixed Reality on Social Presence, Performance and User Experience in Collaborative Tasks.

In Mixed Reality (MR), users' heads are largely (if not completely) occluded by the MR Head-Mounted Display (HMD) they are wearing. As a consequence, one cannot see their facial expressions and other communication cues when interacting locally. In this paper, we investigate how displaying virtual avatars' heads on-top of the (HMD-occluded) heads of participants in a Video See-Through (VST) Mixed Reality local collaborative task could improve their collaboration as well as social presence. We hypothesized that virtual heads would convey more communicative cues (such as eye direction or facial expressions) hidden by the MR HMDs and lead to better collaboration and social presence. To do so, we conducted a between-subject study ($\mathrm{n}=88$) with two independent variables: the type of avatar (CartoonAvatar/RealisticAvatar/NoAvatar) and the level of facial expressions provided (HighExpr/LowExpr). The experiment involved two dyadic communication tasks: (i) the "20-question" game where one participant asks questions to guess a hidden word known by the other participant and (ii) a urban planning problem where participants have to solve a puzzle by collaborating. Each pair of participants performed both tasks using a specific type of avatar and facial animation. Our results indicate that while adding an avatar's head does not necessarily improve social presence, the amount of facial expressions provided through the social interaction does have an impact. Moreover, participants rated their performance higher when observing a realistic avatar but rated the cartoon avatars as less uncanny. Taken together, our results contribute to a better understanding of the role of partial avatars in local MR collaboration and pave the way for further research exploring collaboration in different scenarios, with different avatar types or MR setups.

Role of international remittances in poverty alleviation: A panel data study of developing countries

Remittances are the funds sent by individuals to their home country from the host country and are the main source of foreign funding after FDI. Remittances are a crucial source of subsistence for the countries that are still in developing phase. Due to of the increasing scale and effect on the origin country, the international remittance flows into the developing country have gained the attention of numerous analysts from all over the world. This study examines the role of foreign remittances in poverty alleviation utilizing the panel data set of Asian countries, precisely nine developing countries. For the dependent variable this study uses poverty gap and the independent variables are Remittances as percentage of GDP, Per capita GDP, External debt as percentage of GNI and Trade openness as percentage of GDP. The findings reveal that foreign emittances have a significant role in alleviating poverty gap. The results of the random effect model showed that a 1% increase in international remittances as percentage of GDP leads to a decrease of 65.932% in poverty gap at $1.90 poverty line in the sample developing economies from 1990-2019. In addition, the results indicate, trade openness and per capita GDP decrease poverty and external debt seems to increase poverty.